Grit is a willingness to commit to long-term goals and to persist in the face of adversity. Grit is a great predicter of success.

The good news is that if you don’t currently possess gritty skills, there is something you can do about it. People who lack grit often believe they just don’t have the innate abilities successful people have. This is not true.

Effort, planning, persistence [and grit] all combine to make ability. Ability is key – ability is what gets you to succuss. Embracing these facts will help you on your journey.

Let’s focus on grit. Incremental Theorists believe that ability is malleable – that it can and does change with effort and experience. You can create more ability if you want more. All you need is grit.

Grit, in the sense that psychologists use the term, is persistence and commitment to long-term goals. Grit is all about not giving up in the face of difficulty, even when you’re tired or discouraged or just plain bored.

Incremental Theorists’ thinking goes along the lines of blaming setbacks on more controllable factors: Insufficient effort, wrong strategy, poor planning, or lack of knowledge. When faced with difficulty, they try harder, armed with the belief that improvement is always possible. This gritty attitude pays off in a big way, leading to far greater long-term accomplishments.

Remember, grit and determination are fueled by passion, endurance, and the refusal to give up.

“Grit is that ‘extra something’ that separates the most successful people from the rest.”
-Travis Bradberry

“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
-Angela Duckworth

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.”
-Colin Powell

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.”
-Tommy Lasorda